There are many unanswered questions regarding the history of aviation in Hampshire,the Isle of Wight and Dorset.I intend to post such queries on this page in the hope that someone may be able to answer them.

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If you have a question to ask,or if you can answer a question already posted here please E-Mail me!

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Questions

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1/05: From Peter Parsons - Can anyone shed any light on the existence and purpose of the Southampton & District Flying Club?This organisation was extant around the turn of the century (1900) but it is not known whether it was concerned with aviation or some other form of flying (possibly hawks ?)

The two pictures above recently came into my possession(at a car boot sale!) It would be nice to know where they were taken - the scenery does look English - for what it's worth.

From Ken Wakefield comes the following information re the operating unit"32 was the unit code used by L-4s of the 119th and
228th Field Artillery Groups, both of which were attached to XIX Corps,
First US Army, for the D-Day landings. Before D-Day both Group HQs
were at Codford, Wilts., with some of their eight FA Battalions also in
the Codford area and others at Chitterne, Barton Stacey (Hants) and
Wimborne Minster (Dorset)."

In the original pictures it is possible to make out(top picture) just to the left of the wingtip - a two bay factory type building , whilst in the lower picture (just to the right of the aircraft) there is what appears to be a blister hangar behind the row of trees.

If anyone would like a hi-res scan of these(originals are 126 size prints) please Email me.

6:Does anyone know anything about a 807Sq Seafire L.III SX244 that crashed in Poole Harbour killing the pilot Sub Lt Barlow somewhen on July 9th 1946.Any info about the crash,which may have been due to mid air collision,or 807Sq's deployment at that time to Lee-on-Solent would be most welcome

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7:A Simmonds Spartan was used for evaluation by the South African Air Force-does anyone know any details of the aircraft?

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8:Does anyone recall in the news around 1981 that a Battle of Britain Spitfire was found in the New Forest ? Apparently it was discovered when they decided to open up parts of the New Forest for the public. The remains of the pilot were discovered in the aircraft. The aircraft must have got buried in the ground, apparently it was discovered amongst trees? Any further info welcome.(Query from Mark Hoodcenter>

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9:Does anyone know the identity of a Bristol Brigand which crashed on take off at HMS Siskin-Gosport sometime around 1952?(info from Mike Dunn).........Answer - RH773 of ATDU Engine cut on take-off; undercarriage retracted to stop(Info from Tony Hancock)

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From J D Nairn comes the information that the crash happened on May 8th 1952 and that the aircraft collided with a naval rating who was riding a bicycle at the time and he
suffered fatal injuries.

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10:My late father spent the war years at Melchett Court near Romsey working I believe for Saunders-Roe Ltd. He was a skilled craftsman - a watchmaker - and I am attempting to find out just what project he was working on. If anyone has information on the war activities at Melchett Court then I would be very interested to know of them. I have no photographs of this period except one of a group of people at what was obviously a final leaving party at the end of the war. I would be most grateful for any information .(from Christopher Marshall)

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11:Sometime ,probably during August /September 1940 ,a He-111 crashed on the golf course at Hockley, near Winchester. Can any one add any further information to this(From Roy Orwell)

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12:Graham Wing asks if anyone from Cunliffe-Owen at Eastliegh remembers his parents Bob and Mabel(nee Marshal) who both worked there. If you do remember them please contact Graham

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13:From Michael Blake comes a request for any information about aircraft participating in the RAF Calshot Open Day in August or September 1952 - any photos taken at Calshot around that time also welcome